Handcuff



A. E. GRoss July 2, 1929.

HANDCUFF Filed Sept. 12, 1927 Patented July 2, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALBERT E. GROSS, OF PALATKA, FLORIDA.

HAN DCUFF.

Application filed September 12, 1927. Serial No. 219,041.

.the production of what l believe to be an entirely novel, structure, which is, comparatively speaking, simple in construction, etlicient in operation, and such that it can be expeditiously handled ina dependable manner.

Briefly, the invention comprises an especially designed body upon which the jaws are pivotally mounted, the body beingprovided ,with a guide for accommodating a slide such as has positive operating connection with the jaws.

Other features and advantages of the invention will become more readily apparent from the following descriptionV and drawings.

In the drawings i Figure 1 is a side elevational View of a handcuf constructed in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is a similar view with portions broken away and shownin section to disclose the details more plainly.

Figure 3 is an end viewy with portions broken away and shown in section, to disclose the latch. u

Referring now to the drawings by reference numerals', it will be observed that the reference character 4 designates generally a body which is in the forni of a single metal casting which is constructed to provide a tubular guide stem 5 at one end of which is a handgrip G. The handgrip is preferably of semi-'cylindrical cross section. At the opposite end of the stem is an enlargement which is formed to provide a cylinder 7 on opposite sides of which are outstanding flanges 8 disposed in spaced arallelism. Formed on the exterior of one o the flanges as shown in Figure 3, we find a pair of outstanding ears 9 bctween which a spring-pressed latch 10 is pivotally mounted. The latch is shaped to project through a hole 11 for a purpose to be hereinafter described.

Pivotally mounted at 12, we find a pair of duplicate jaws 13 shaped to embrace the wrist of the prisoner. Incidentally-it will be nOted that the pivoted ends ofthe jaws are bifurcated and a pair of linksilllare disposedv between and pivotally connected with the furcations at their outer ends. ner ends of these links are pivoted to and between a pair of similar furcations 15 on a head 16 slidably mounted in the cylinderl 7 This head is formed integral with the outer end of a shaft 17 which is slidable in the guide 5. The opposite end of the shaft extends through and beyond the guide and carries a 'hand grip 18. The hand grip 18 as wellA as the aforesaid hand grip 6 is formed with a socket in which a coil spring 19 is located. The spring is thus interposed between the two hand grips and, being of the expansion type, tends to separate the hand grips.

F rom the foregoing description and draw- The opposite inv ings'it will be seen that I have provided an exceptionally sturdy structurey whichis characterized by an especially designed body constructed with a guidel and a stationary hand grip at one end andmeans at the rother end providing a mounting for a pair of pivoted jaws. The body thus made provides a car rier for what is generally designated as a slide, the slide being composed of the shaft 17, the hand grip 18, and the head 16. The

head, together with the links llrcofnstitutes a positive operating connection between the slide and the jaws. This head is formed in one side with a keeper seat as shown in rFigure 3 and this seat is adapted for reception of the latch 9 before described. Thus, it will be seen that when the latch is releasedby pressure from the thumb, the spring 19 will serve to quickly move the hand grips 6 and 18 apart and through the medium of the slide and links connection, the jaw 13 will be opened. Thus they can be easily placed around the wrists of the prisoner, whereupon the hand grips are literally squeezed together against the tension of the expansion spring 19. This serves through the medium of the linkage to close the jaws rmly about the prisoners wrists. As the jaws are closed, the latch again seats itself in the keeper seat to hold them in this position, thus relieving the ollicer of unusual strain in'holding the jaws together by a manual grip. It will be noted in this connection that the spring 19 is not absolutely essential for the hand grips could be easily pulled apart. However, the spring is advantageous in that it serves to obviate such unnecessary action. Neither is the latch absolutely essential. In fact, if the Cin prisoner should. accidentally open the latch,

Vthis would not necessarily aid him .in escaping or loosening the handcutf Afor the grip is maintained by pressure of the oiiicer upon the handgrip, holding the linkage rin.

The device herein described is believed to be advantageous in the following respects. It can be operated with one hand in a quick manner. It is easy to operate, is light in weight, and very durable. It is of such size that it may be carried in one pocket. If however, it is found desirable, a spring clip 2() maybe provided to permit the device to be hungon the oi'l'icers belt. There are few .vo ring parts, thus decidedly simplifying the structure and permitting ready repair it such is necessary. The structure is such that the device is humane and will not lacerate tbe prisoners wrists. There is absolutely no strain on the spring while the jaws are open. The handcuffs can be carried in an open or closed state, whichever is found desirable. before stated, the breaking of the spring` would not interfere with the working of the device except that it would not be as easy to open. In fact, it is believed that, comparatively speaking, the present device embodies indispensable features and advantages such as are not found in known devices. Consequently, it is thought thatthis invention represents a worthy contribution to the art.

As the construction and operation and advantages of the invention have doubtless been made plain from the foregoing, a more lengthy description is believed unnecessary.

l/Vhile the preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it is to be understood that minor changes in shape, size and rearrangement of details coming within the scope of the adjoined claim may be resortedto if desired.

I claim In a structure of the class described, a body including a tubular guide stem having a rigid handgrip at one end and an enlarged head at the opposite end, said head including a cylinder, on opposite sides of which are pairs of spaced parallel flanges, a pair of complemental jaws pivotally connected with and located between said flanges, a shaft slidable in said guide and having a bifurcated head at one end reciprocable in said cylinder, link connections between the furcations of said last named head and said jaws, the opposite end of the shaft extending through said guide and beyond said first named bandgrip, a second handgrip carried by the eX- tending endrof the shaft, said hand grips being disposed in spaced parallelism, and a spring surrounding said shaft and interposed between said handgripsmnd a spring pressed retaining latch carried by the first named head, said heads being provided with an opening and a keeper seat arranged for cooperation with the latch.

In testimony whereof I affix inv signature.

ALBERT Gaoss. 

